Overview

Cancer Australia is managing several targeted initiatives to support the cancer care workforce and improve coordination of cancer services to deliver the best possible care to people affected by cancer now and in the future.

These include:

• the Cancer Service Networks National Demonstration Program (CanNET), to improve outcomes and reduce disparities in outcomes for people affected by cancer, particularly in rural and regional areas,
• the Mentoring projects, to increase access to ‘world’s best practice’ treatment and care for people with cancer in rural and regional Australia,
• a professional development framework and modules for cancer professionals including counsellors and general practitioners,
• a national training framework and training resource package for nurses to improve their skills in cancer care, and
• the National Centre for Gynaecological Cancers.

Our efforts to improve cancer services:

• focus on the continuum of care, from diagnosis to treatment, recovery and living with or after cancer,
• are focused on people affected by cancer, and
• acknowledge the primary care sector, especially general practice, as a pivotal part of the cancer care workforce.

We have established a Quality and Professional Development National Advisory Group to provide expert input on issues relating to improving the quality of cancer services and professional development for the cancer care workforce in Australia.